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today someone was like "oh do you know that mithraeum in ostia that has like the copy of the huge statue of the tauroctony? that's my favourite"

me slowly hiding the postcard on my wall of that specific mithraeum where i literally sobbed because i was too happy and too excited and it was beautiful to me "i have no idea what you're talking about"

it's the mithraeum of the baths of mithras, btw. for visuals:

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It's getting close to the Solstice, y'all better get your tauroctony ceremonies ready.

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Who was Mithras? Mithras was a deity whose origins are unclear, but it’s possible the Romans used the earlier Persian god Mitra as their inspiration. Mithras is usually depicted as a young man in a “Phrygian cap” (a conical hat with folds so the top tips forward). The most commonly found scene from Mithraism is Mithras sacrificing a bull. This scene is called the “tauroctony.” It was believed that from the death of the #bull , an animal often seen as a symbol of strength and fertility, sprung new life. Who worshipped Mithras? #mithraism was a religious belief practiced by a small, closed group rather than being a mainstream part of Roman religion. It is thought that it was open only to men, including soldiers, traders, merchants and freedmen. What were Mithraic rituals? Mithraism is usually called a “mystery cult” as the rituals and activities of the religion were kept secret. From archaeological evidence, we learn of initiation ceremonies involving light, sound, incense and smoke. Taking part in these rituals would mean that you could feel part of a special community #doldebretagne #montdol #mithras #londonmithraeum (à Dol de Bretagne) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co6mDvCoBhj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Mithras killing the bull/Tauroctony

Source: Wikipedia

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Starstruck by Mithras

On my recent trip to Newcastle, I was overjoyed to see these beautiful images of Mithras in person, at the Great North Museum! Mithras and his cult were among my favourite topics to study at uni, so finally seeing the physical carvings - rather than photos - was brilliant! (I very nearly cried)

Both hail from Housesteads Roman Fort, along the line of Hadrian's Wall. Pictured above is the Birth of Mithras from an egg (or rock) into the cosmos - surrounded by the Zodiac symbols!

Not much is known about the inner workings of his cult, but he was worshipped across the Roman Empire - despite seeming to have further eastern origins!

Another fun fact - he shares his birthday with Jesus, and was perhaps the biggest rival cult to early Christianity!

The Tauroctony scene is iconic Mithraic imagery (and was usually fully painted). This image would form the centrepiece to all his temples, which were usually constructed underground. However, it's symbolism is complex, layered and in all honesty, unknown to us.

But we have THEORIES! There is definitely some form of astronomical/cosmological significance, as he is always flanked by the sun and moon, with stars painted onto his cape. He always looks away from the bull, and is usually joined by a snake and or dog, who aid in the attack. Some believe that the image depicts Mithras slaying a primordial evil, others believe he served as a sort of star map.

There is still so much to uncover about the cult of Mithras. However, its nature as a mystery cult and limitation to initiated members means we're unlikely to never know the full truth about the God, his followers or his purpose :( x

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Point Bonita lighthouse, oil on canvas. — Frederick Ferdinand Schafer (American/German, 1839-1927)

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Herbert Brandl (Austrian, b. 1959), Ohne Titel, 1994. Oil on canvas, 130 × 100 cm. Private collection. via

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JESSIE ARMS BOTKE Pheasant in a Landscape 1920 oil on canvas 29 ½ x 22 1/2n

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Forest interior by moonlight — Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840)

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Portrait of Madame Dupin (Detail), 1947 - Leonora Carrington

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That’s what I call an iconic duo.

VINCENT PRICE in THE RAVEN (1963)

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Detail from The woman with the candle by Cornelis Visscher II (c.1643-1658)

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Muse Melpomene, Greco-Roman marble statue C2nd C.E., State Hermitage Museum

 Philostratus the Younger, Imagines 13 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.)

“Why do you delay, O divine Sophokles (Sophocles) [the tragedian], to accept the gifts of Melpomene? Whey do you fix your eyes upon the ground? Since I for one do not know whether it is because you are now collecting your thoughts, or because you are awe-stricken at the presence of the goddess. But be of good heart, good sir, and accept her gifts; for the gifts of the gods are not to be rejected … Indeed you see how the bees fly above you, and how they buzz with a pleasant and divine sound as they anoint you with mystic drops of their own dew, since this more than anything else is to be infused into your poesy. Surely someone will before long cry out, naming you the ‘honeycomb of kindly Mousai (Muses),’ and will exhort everyone to beware lest a bee fly unnoticed from your lips and insert its sting unawares. You can doubtless see the goddess herself imparting to you now sublimity of speech and loftiness of thought, and measuring out the gift with gracious smile.”

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GENE KELLY~~~~

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Eduard Angeli (Austrian, b. 1942), Isaaks Kathedrale im Sturm [Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in a Storm], 2013. Charcoal and chalk on paper, 102 x 152 cm.

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